Windmill



stantially flat oval-shaped casing 11 is fixed in vertical position on the main stem 10 in a vertical plane parallel with the axis of the stem but with the longitudinal axis of the casing inclined with respect to the axis of the stem. The main stem 10 is secured on and fixed to one side of the casing 11, and the opposite side of the casing is formed open and is closed by a removable side plate 12 secured to the casing through the medium of any suitable removable fastening means, such as the bolts or screws 14.

In the illustrated embodiment the easing 10 is formed of a. casting with the main stem 10 integral therewith and projecting laterally from the closed side thereof, although it is not intended to limit the invention to such arrangement, as it will be clear that the casing and stem may be formed of separate elements and suitably secured together in desired position. The stem 10 extends downwardly any desired distance below the casing 11 and is provided, with any suitable or desired bearing and mounting means (not shown) for rotatably supporting the windmill head on the desired tower or other support (not shown). The-usual or any desired vane (not shown) for'controlling the windmill head is suitably mounted on thecasing 11, or other element of the head, as will be readily understood.

A supporting bracket 15, is in the present instance cast integral with the closed side of the casing 11 and extends outwardly therefrom on the opposite side of the main stem 10 from that toward and from which the upper portion of the casing is inclined (see Figs. 1 and 2). Theupper end of the bracket 15, provides a horizontally disposed elongated pillow to receive the wheel shaft journal boxing 16. A windwheel shaft 17 is mounted in the journal boxing 16 and extends through the closed side of the casing 11, at which point suitable bearings 18 are provided. The outer end of the shaft 17 is provided with the usual windwheel 19, as diagrammatically indicated in the drawings. A pinion 20 is mounted on the inner end of the Wheel shaft 17, within and enclosed by the casing 11 and side plate 1.2 thereof. A pump rod 21 is mounted in and extends through the main stem for reciproplained.

The invention provides operating mechanism for actuating the pump rod 21 from the windwheel shaft 17 through the pinion 20 within the casing 11. This operating mechanism comprises a link 26 pivotally coupled to the pump rod 21 through a pin 27 secured on the pump rod and extending through the open side of the guide 22, and a pitman pivotally coupled to the link 26 and in operative connection with the windwheel shaft pinion 20 for actuation thereby to cause reciprocation of the pump rod through the link 26.

The pitman operatively connecting link 26 and pump rod 21 with the windwheel shaft comprises an elliptical or similarly shaped housing 24 formed with an open side and having an elliptical gear fixed centrally therein and spaced from the surrounding edge wall of the housing to provide a continuous unbroken passage or space surrounding and between the gear 25 and the edge wall of the housing. gear 25 is formed of a thickness substantially equal to the depth or interior thickness of the housing 24, and is cut away on opposite sides thereof to form the opposite elliptical bearing surfaces or tracks 30 and trally and in longitudinal continuation thereof. The upper end of the casing 11 is provided with an opening 29 therethrough, and the housing 24 of the pitman is loosely mounted and confined within the casing 11 with the arm 28 thereof extending through the opening 29 and pivotally coupled at its outer end with the link 26.

The housing 24 is mounted in operative position with its open side against and closed by the wall of the casing 11, and the pinion 20 of the shaft 17 fitting within the space between the elliptical gear 25 and the edge wall of the housing 24, with the pinion 20 spaced from said edge wall and in mesh with the elliptical gear 25. semblies A and B, of the ball or other suit able anti-friction type, are mounted on the shaft 17 adjacent to and on opposite sides of the pinion 20, within the elliptical housing 24 (see particularly Fig. Each of the bearing assemblies A and B includes an outer ring or cage 32 which is opposite the tracks 30 and 31, respectively, formed on the elliptical gear 25, and normally spaced from and out of engagement therewith. These rings 32 are so positioned, however, that they normally bear against and are in rolling engagement with the inner surface of the edge wall of housing 24, and thus function to maintain the pinion 20 in proper mesh with the elliptical gear 25 during op eration of the windwheel shaft 17. The bearings A and B are further adapted to function as thrust bearings for the wind wheel shaft 17, The housing 24 is main- The elliptical Bearing as- 1 tained in the-above described position in the the pinion at which the casing 11 by theside plate 12, and the-inner face or surface of the edge wall of casing 11 is formed of such acontour as to'provide a bearing and guidingsurface for the housing 24 throughout its cycle of movement.

thereby maintaining the housing 2% in the casing 11 in proper operation thereof.

Thus, from the foregoing, it is seen that upon rotation of the shaft 17 by the windwheel 19,the pinion 20 in mesh with the elliptical gear, is rotated and the gear and housing 24- are reciprocated vertically within the casing 11. The movement of the gear 25 and housing 24 isaround the pinion 20 and bearing assemblies A and B, and the housingis maintained in the desired vertical position by the casing 11 against the inner edge of which the housing 2 fv bears and is guided during its vertical reciprocation by and around the pinion 2.0. The mounting and position of the bearing assemblies A and B on the shaft 17, is such. that, when the pitman formed by the housing Qian'd arm 28 reaches the limit or top .portionof its stroke the tracks 30- and 31, engage the rings 82, respectively, of the bearings A and B, and prevent the pinion 20 and gear 25 from meshing too tightly and amming. In this manner the bearings A and B in cooperation with the tracks 30 and 31 assist in maintaining the proper position of the pinion with the gear 25 throughout the stroke of the pitman, and with a minimum of friction due to the rotational mounting of the rings 82 of the bearings A and B.

The reciprocation of the housing 24, through rotation of the pinion 20 by the shaft 17 as above described, causes reciprocation and oscillation of the arm 28, which results in vertical reciprocation of the pump rod 21 through the link 26 which pivotally connects the arm 28 with the pump rod. By the construction andarrangement described, it will be noted that the power is transmitted from the windwheel shaft to the elliptical gear of the pitman at a minimum distance from the center of the windwheel shaft, thus reducing torque and strains on the shaft and the pitman to a minimum. Further, the length of stroke of the pitman and the pump rod can be increased without increasing the distance from the shaft at which the power is applied, as the length of the elliptical gear is increased, with corresponding increases in cooperating elements without increasing the distance from to the pitman.

The compact assembly and mounting of the casing and power transmitting mechanism on the main stem, and the position thereof with respect to the pump rod, permits the application of the power or lift position throughout the power is applied.

to the pump rod substantially longitudinally of ,or'along its direction of movement. This reduces lateral application of forces tothe pump rod and substantially increases the power applied, by reducing losses in power from friction on the pump rod and from the application of forces against the direction ofimovement of the rod. In the illustrated example, the power is applied to the pump rod by the pitman in practically a direct line with tie vertical movement ofthe rod, as will be clear by 'eferen'ce to the accompanying drawings, i

In order to provide for the proper and efiicient lubrication of thehousing 2' 1 and gears25 and 20, the casing 11" is formed as a lubricant reservoir capable of holding, and maintaining a supply of lubricant sufficient for extended periods oftime. The removable side plate lf l-is formed to providexal leak proof closure for the casing 11', and abody or supply of lubricant is.-placed therein through the opening 29* in whiehftl'ie arm 28ioperates. After-a sufiicient quantity oflubricant is placed in the casing, during operation of the windmill head the housing 24' will work therein and lubricant will be" continuously supplied to the interior of the housing to lubricate the elliptical gear *25 and the pinion 20,-as well as to the outside of the housing to lubricate those surfaces thereof in contact with the casing 11. Once a supply of lubricant is placed in the casing 11, the windmill head can be operated for an extended period of time without atf tention or replenishment of lubricant.

Removalof the housing 24 is readily accomplished by removing the side plate 12 of the casing '11 and slipping the housingfrom position. This permits of repair and replacement without the necessity of completely disassembling the windmill head.

Although the invention is illustratedand described as embodied in a windmill head, various features thereof are applicable mechanisms for the, transmission of power and other embodiments where similar or equivalent conditions are encountered.

It is evident that various changes,- variations, substitutions and departures might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosures hereof.

Desiring to protect my invention in the said casing, a pinion mounted on said shaft within said casing, a pitman extending into said casing and embodying a housing within the casing formed with an elliptical gear therein in mesh with said pinion within the casing, the inner edge face of said casing forming a bearing and guiding surface for said pitman during reciprocation thereof by said pinion.

2. In a 'WlIlClIlllll head, a main stem, a substantially flat casing mounted in vertically disposed position on said main stem, a pump rod mounted in and extending through said main stem, a WindWheel shaft extending into said casing a pinion mounted on said shaft Within the casing, a pitman extending into said casing and formed of a substantially flat elliptical housing having an open side, an elliptical gear mounted centrally of and spaced from the edge Wall of said housing, and an arm forming a 10ngitudinal continuation of said housing, the said pitman mounted in said casing With the open side thereof closed by a side Wall ofv the casing and the wheel shaft pinion fitting into the space around and in mesh With the elliptical gear, the said arm of the pitman extending upwardly through the edge Wall of the casing, operative connections from said arm to the pump rod, and the inner edge Wall of said casing forming a bearing and guiding surface for said housing to maintain the pitman in proper position during operation thereof.

3. In a Windmill head, a Windwheel shaft,

a pinion 'mountcd thereon, roller bearing members mounted on said shaft at opposite sides of said pinion, a pitman formed by a substantially elliptical shaped housing, an elliptical gear mounted in said housing, and spaced from the edge Wall thereof, and said pinion in mesh with said elliptical gear with said roller bearing members in engagement with the edge Wall of said pitman housing to form guide members maintaining said gear and pinion in mesh.

4. In a Windmill head, a Wind Wheel shaft, a pinion fixed thereon, roller bearing members mounted and rotatable independently of said shaft at opposite sides of said pin-' ion, a pitman formed by a substantially flat housing, an elliptical gear mounted in said housing and spaced from the edge wall thereof, said pinion in mesh with said gear with said roller members normally bearing against the edge Wall of said housing, and said elliptical gear provided With tracks therearound alined With said roller members, respectively, and adapted to be en gaged thereby to maintain said pinion in proper mesh with the said gear.

Signed at Smith Center, Kansas, this 3d day of Man, 1923.

GEORGE F. ORMSBEE. 

